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Herbs & Plants

Nut Grass (Cyperus Rotundus Linn)

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Botanical Name : cyperus rotundus Linn
Family Name: Cyperaceae
Vernacular Name: Sans– Musta ,Hind – Nagarmota , Eng – Nut grass
Common Name:mustaka
Habitat :It grows throughout India.
Parts used: tubers & rutes
Description:It is a pestiferous perennial weed with dark green glabrous culms, arising from a system of underground tubers.The plant has an elaborate underground system consisting of tubers,rhizomes and roots. The tubes are white and succulent when young and hard and black when mature.

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Main Constituents:Cyperine is the major constituent in the plant.

Medicinal Properties:Rhizome of the plant is used in various Ayurvedic preparations. Mustaka is widely used in Ayurveda to treat diseases of nervous system where stimulation is required. It helps in indigestion, excessive thirst, cough, cold, epilepsy and urinary disorders. Nagarmotha is found to be effective for menstrual disorders, skin troubles, general debility, sun stroke, fever and diseases of female reproductive organs. Topical application of lepa (Poultice or paste) of it stimulates milk secretion in lactating mothers and improves size of breast in undersized females.

Properties and uses:
The tubers are bitter, acrid, astringent, cooling, anti-inflammatory, revulsive, galactagogue, depurative, intellect promoting, nervine tonic, digestive, carminative, anthelmintic, stomachic. constipating, diuretic, lithontriptic, expectorant, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, vulnerary, febrifuge, antiperiodic and tonic, and are useful in vitiated conditions of kapha and pitta, hyperdipsia, inflammations, agalactia, leprosy, skin diseases, scabies, erysipelas, pruritus, amentia, neurasthenia, epilepsy, anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence. colic, verminosis, diarrhoea, dysentery, strangury, renal and  vescical calculi, cough, bronchitis, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, wounds, ulcers, fever, intermittent and malarial fevers, vomiting, ophthalmia and general debility.

The root is pungent, acrid, cooling; astringent, bitter, appetiser, stomachic, anthelmintic; useful in leprosy, thirst, fever, blood diseases, biliousness, dysentery, pruritus, pain, vomiting, epilepsy,ophthalmia- erysipelas

The root is diuretic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, anthelmintic, vulnerary; useful for ulcers and sores, fevers, dyspepsia,. urinary concretions

The roots are commonly used as a diaphoretic and astringent.

They are also credited with stimulant and diuretic properties. They are held in great esteem as a cure for disorders of the stomach and irritation of the bowels. the roots are used in fever

The bulbous roots are scraped and pounded with green ginger, and in this form, mixed with honey, they are given in cases of dysentery in doses of about a scruple. They are used too as an anthelmintic.

The fresh tubers are applied to the breast as a galactagogue..

A decoction of the tubers is given in fever, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, and stomach complaints.

The root is considered diuretic’ and antiperiodic, small tubers act on the lungs an liver. Their general action is tonic, stimulating, and stomachic.

Effect on Dosha:Pacifies Kapha and Pitta.
Main Classical Uses:Mustadi Kwath, Mustakarishta, Mustadi churan, Mustadi leha,Shadangapaniya.

Click to see:->The Cyperus Rotundus a Herb That makes grow Hair –

->Wound healing activity of cyperus rotundus linn.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.incredibleayurveda.com/herbs.aspx?id=24
http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/herbfinder/h_cyperus.htm
http://www.ayurvedakalamandiram.com/herbs.htm#madayantika

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Herbs & Plants

Semecarpus anacardium

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Botanical Name: Semecarpus anacardium
Family:
Anacardiaceae
Genus
: Semecarpus
Species:
S. anacardium
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Sapindales

vernacular Name: Sans- Bhallataka, Hind- Bhela. It was called “marking nuts” by Europeans because it was used by washermen to mark the cloths before washing, as it imparted water insoluble mark to the cloth. It’s also known as “Ker” in Kannada.

It is known as Bhallaatak  in India and was called “marking nut” by Europeans, because it was used by washermen to mark cloth and clothing before washing, as it imparted a water insoluble mark to the cloth. It is also known as ker beeja in Kannada and bibba in Marathi and Jeedi Ginja in Telugu.

Habitat :Semecarpus Anacardium (the Oriental Anacardium) is a native of India and is closely related to the cashew.Available throughout india, in semi-green and moist deciduous forests.

Description:It is a deciduous tree, found in the outer Himalayas. The nut is about 2.5 cm long, ovoid and smooth lustrous black. In Ayurveda, the fruit is considered a rasayana for longevity and rejuvenation,and is processed before use, as it is toxic in nature.

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Properties:
Bhallataka is sweet and astringent in taste, sweet in the post digestive effect and has hot potency. It alleviates kapha and vata dosas and possesses light, unctuous sharp (tiksna) and hot (usna) attributes. It is extremely heat generating, appetizer, digestant, rejuvenative, aphrodisiac herb and alleviates the skin and rheumatic disorders. (Bhavaprakasa Nighantu)

Classical Ayurvedic Preparations:

*Bhallatakasava
*Bhallataka taila
*Bhallataka ksirapaka and ksara
*Tiladi modaka
*Bhallataka modaka
*Amrtabhallatakavaleha
*Sanjivani guti etc.

Bhallataka is used both, internally as well as externally. The fruits, their oil and the seeds have great medicinal value, and are used to treat the wide range of diseases. Externally, the oil, mixed with coconut or sesame oil, is applied on wounds and sores to prevent the pus formation. It soothens and heals the cracked feet, when mixed with fala (Shorea robusta). For better healing of wounds, it works well, when medicated with garlic, onion and ajavayana in sesame oil. The topical application of its oil and swollen joints and traumatic wounds effectively controls the pain. In glandular swellings and filariasis, the application of its oil facilitates to drain out the discharges of pus and fluids and eases the conditions.

Since bhallataka is extremely hot and sharp in its attributes, it should be used with caution. Individuals showing allergic reactions to it, should stop and avoid the usage of bhallataka. It should not be used in small children, very old persons, pregnant women and individuals of predominant pitta constitution. The use of the same should be restricted in summer season. For its allergic reactions like rash, itching and swelling, the antidotes used externally are coconut oil, rala ointment, ghee, coriander leaves pulp or butter mixed with musta (Cyperus rotundus).

Internally, bhallataka is widely used in a vast range of diseases because of its multifarious properties. As it augments the agni, it is extremely beneficial in the diseases like piles, colitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, ascites, tumours and worms which are caused mainly due to weakened agni. For this, one fruit of bhallataka is hold with tong over a flame and heated slightly. On gentle pressing, the oil starts dripping gradually. This oil is collected on the beatle leaf with small amount of sugar on its surface or in a cup of milk. Approximately 10 drops in children and 15-20 drops in adults are sufficient. It augements the appetite, cleanses the bowels, dispels the trapped gases and eliminates the worms. This is how the bhallataka is used as a household remedy.

Bhallataka is highly praised to treat the piles (haemorrhoids) of vata and kapha types, meaning in non – bleeding conditions. It is an effective adjuvant in the treatment of ascites and tumours. In bronchial asthma and cough, it is one of the best medicament for which, its preparation bhallatakasava is commonly used. It reduces the bronchospasms and their frequency too. Cardiac debility, associated with odema can be treated with great benefit. The milk medicated with bhallataka or bhallataka modaka mitigates the skin diseases like scabies, eczema, ringworm infestations. As a nervine tonic, it is beneficial in the diseases due to vata, like sciatica, paralysis, facial palsy, epilepsy, rheumatic conditions and also asa brain tonic. The combination, bhallataka, haritaki, tila (sesame seeds) powders with jaggery, awards excellent results in chronic rheumatic disorders. Bhallataka is said to augment the memory, as it boosts the sadhaka pitta and nourishes the nervine tissue. It also works well as aphrodisiac by its stimulant action and enhances the seminal fluids. In dysmenorrheal (painful menstruation) and oligomenorrhea (scanty menstruation), the medicated milk or its oil is salubrious. It reduces the urinary output, hence beneficial in diabetes of kapha type,

Bhallataka is the best rejuvenative (rasayana) for skin ailments, vata disorders and as a preventive measure to increase the body resistance. It augments the appetile, improves digestion, eliminates ama and clears up srotasas – the micro channels of all the systems, hence facilitates the nourishment of all the tissues (dhatus). It does not work as an anabokic rejuvenative like bala (Sida cordifolia), satavari (Asparagus racemosus), milk or ghee. Winter is the best season for its usage. One should adopt a bland and cooling diet consisting of rice, milk, butter, ghee. The salt and spices should be strictly restricted and during bhallataka treatment, it is recommended to avoid exposure to sun, heat and excessive sex. The toxic symptoms of its internal use are skin rashes, burning, itching, and excessive thirst and sweating, reductin in urine output with sloky coloured urine, sometimes blood in the urine (heamaturia) may appear. The fresh juice of the leaves of amlika (Tamarindus indica) internally, is one of the antidotes for such symptoms.

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According to Ayurveda :-
It is katu ,tikta, kashaya, ushna, anthelmintic, helpful in deranged kapha, vata, intestinal infections, epistasis, polyuria and piles

Parts Used: Fruits and bark.

Therapeutic Uses:

Fruits: in asthma, ascites, epilepsy, neuralgia, psoriasis and rheumatism; as abortifacient and vermifuge; decoction mixed with milk and butter-fat efficacious in asthma, gout, hemiplegia, neuritis, piles, rheumatism, sciatica, and syphilitic complaintskernel is anthelmintic, cardiotonic, carminative and digestive;
The fruits are acrid, bitter, astringent, digestive, carminative, purgative, liver tonic, expectorant, stomachic, laxative, tonic and oleaginous. The fruit is useful in leucoderma, scaly skin, allergic, dermatitis, poisonous bites, leprosy, cough, asthma, and dyspepsia.
Also act as insecticides, antiseptic, termite repellents and herbicide. It is extremely beneficial in the diseases like piles, colitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, ascites, tumours and worms. The topical application of its oil on swollen joints and traumatic wounds effectively controls the pain.

The fruit is acrid, hot, sweetish; digestible, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic; stays. looseness of bowels; removes” vata “,” kapha “, ascites, skin diseases, piles, dysentery, tumours, fevers, loss of appetite, urinary discharges; heals ulcers; strengthens the teeth; useful in insanity, asthma.

The rind of the fruit is sweet, oleagenous, digestible, acrid, sharp; stomachic, anthelmintic, laxative; cures ” vata “, bronchitis, leprosy, ulcers, ascites, piles, dysentery, tumours, inflammations, fevers; causes ulceration

The sweet fruit is carminative, tonic, aphrodisiac; lessens inflammation, stomatitis, piles, fever, weakness and paralysis; expels bad humours from the body.

The pulp is tonic; good for piles.

The smoke from the burning pericarp is good for tumours.

The oil is hot and dry, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, tonic; makes hair black; good for leucoderma, coryza, epilepsy and other nervous diseases; lessens inflammation; useful in paralysis and superficial pain;

oil used externally in gout, leprosy and leucoderma; bark: brownish gum exudate found useful in nervous disorders.

A brown gum exudes from the bark which regard as a valuable medicine in scrofulous, venereal and leprous affections .

The nut is used internally in asthm, after having been steeped in butter-milk, and is also given as vermifuge., debility and in leprous, scrofulous and venereal affections.

Medicinal uses:
Recent studies have shown the fruit to be a good anti-inflammatory agent and effective in various types of cancers.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semecarpus_anacardium
http://www.ayurvedakalamandiram.com/herbs.htm#bhallataka
http://www.herbalcureindia.com/herbs/bhallataka.htm
http://www.motherherbs.com/semecarpus-anacardium.html

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Categories
Herbs & Plants

Tawa Tawa aka Gatas Gatas weed

 

Boto-botonesan or phonetic variations are shared by three plants of different species: (1) Mutha (Cyperus rotundus) Boto-botones (2) Gatas-gatas (Euphorbia hirta) botobotonis, botbotonis, botonis (3) Botoncillo (Gomphrena globosa) botbotonis, botones-botonesan.

1. Mutha:-

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Botanical Name:BOTO-BOTONES/Cyperus rotundus /Hsiang-fu
Common names: Balisanga (Ilk.) ,Barsanga (Ilk.) ,Boto-botones (Bik.) ,Galonalpas (Pamp.),Kusung (Pamp.),Mala-apulid (Pamp.), Mota (Pamp.),Mutha (Tag.),Omadiung (Pamp.) ,Onoran (Pamp.),Sur-sur (Pamp.) ,Tarugug (Bik.) ,Hsiang-fu (Chin.)

Habitat: Found throughout the Philippines; a common weed in gardens, lawns and wastelands.throughout the Philippines.
Part utilized : Rhizome

Description:
* Slender, erect, glabrous, perennial grasslike plant, 10 to 40 cm high. Rhizomes or underground stems wiry, bearing black, hard, ovoid tubers about 1 cm in diameter. Above ground stem solitary, distinctly 3-angled.
* Leave as long as the stems.
* Flowers: inflorescence umbel-type, simple or compound, 2 to 6 cm long, with rather long rays or spikes. Spike with 3 to 8 spikelets. Spikelets brown, flat, slender, 10 to 25 mm long with 10 to 25 florets per spikelet. Rachilla of the spikelet distinctly winged. Glumes of the floret distichously arranged, the first 2 empty, the third one bisexual.
* Fruits: 3-angled nuts.

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* Harvest from December to January.
* Wash and sun-dry or heat-dry in a clean frying pan.
* Scrape off the fibrous roots.

Characteristics Effects:
-Fragrant, slightly bitter tasting rhizome.

Medicinal Uses:Demulcent, analgesic, stimulative, laxative, regulates menstrual flow.

Folkloric uses:
* Indigestion and constipation: 2 to 6 gms of dried material in a standard cup of water, boil to concentration and drink.
* Skin diseases: Wash the diseased portion with the hot decoction.
* Chest pains caused by deterred blood flow of blood and energy circulation: boil to decoction 4 to 9 gms of dried drug preparation together with 4 gms of Citrus (dalanghita, kahel, suha, kalamansi, etc.) and drink.
* Neurogenic gastralgia, abdominal distention, heaviness at the chest, acidic vomiting: 3 to 9 gms dried material in decoction.
*Irregular menstruation, painful menstruation: 3 to 9 gms dried material in decoction.
* Sprains and bruises, furuncle infections: Use pounded fresh material as poultice or cook the pulverized drug material in vinegar and apply as hot poultice.

Sources:http://www.stuartxchange.org/Mutha.html

2) Gatas-gatas:-

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Botanical Name:Euphorbia hirta
Common Name:Tawa-tawa,botobotonis, botbotonis, botonis,AUTRALIAN ASTHMA WEED, SNAKE WEED,Fei-yang ts’ao

Chinese names:
Euphorbia hirta L. var. typica L.C. Wheel,Fei-yang ts’ao, Ta fei-yang, ta nai-chiang ts’ao, ju-chih ts’ao (milk herb), ta-ti chin, ta ju-chih ts’ao (giant milk herb).

Parts used :Entire plant.

Habitat:Abundant in waste places and open grasslands.

Description:
Slender-stemmed, annual hairy plant with many branches from the base to the top, spreading up to 40 cms tall, reddish or purplish in color. Leaves are opposite, elliptic-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, distichoous, 1 to 2.5 cms long, blotched with purple in the middle, toothed at the edge. Numerous involucres, purplish to greenish in color, dense, axillary, short-stalked clusters or crowded cymes, about 1 mm in length. Capsules are broadly ovoid, hairy, three-angled, about 1.5 cms.

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Constituents:
Gallic acid; quercetin; triacontane; cetyl alcohol; phytosterin; phytosterolin; jambulol; melissic, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acid.

Medicinal Uses:Anti-asthmatic, pectoral, hemostatic, sedative, soporific, diuretic, antidote.

Folkloric
*Called gatas-gatas because of the healing property of the milky juice.
*Juice used for colics.
*Juice used as ophthalmic drops for conjunctivitis or ulceration of the cornea.
*Infusion or tea of the plant, 4 glasses daily, for bronchits and labored breathing, asthma, chronic dysentery.
*Decoction of dry plant used for skin disease.
*Decoction of fresh plant used as gargle for the treatment of thrusth.
*Decoction of the root used to allay vomiting, chronic diarrheas, and fevers.
*Root decoction also beneficial for nursing mothers deficient in milk: 4-5 glasses of tea.
*The same root decoction as an enema for constipation.
Root used for snake bites.
Asthma: Make into cigarette or burn and inhale smoke.
Superficial bleeding: Crush leaves and apply on affected paret, as local hemostatic.
Plant decoction: 25 gms of the whole plant to a pint of boiling water; boil for 3-4 minutes; drink 3-5 glasses a day. Externally as needed.

Recent interests from the folk medicine grapevine:DENGUE
(A flurry of queries and web blogs, gatas-gatas has found new interest for gatas-gatas (tawa-tawa) for its use in dengue, with increasing anecdotal reports of “cures.” )

A recommended decoction:
*Cut the roots off 5 to 6 gatas-gatas plants.
*Rinse.
*Put the tawa tawa into a pot of boiling water for 1 minute.
*Let cool.
*Drink the decoction, 1 to 1 1/2 glasses every hour for 24 hours.

Sources:http://www.stuartxchange.org/GatasGatas.html

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3)Botoncillo

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Botanical Name:
Gomphrena globosa L.
Common Name:Hyptis capitata, bababañga, liñga-liñgahan.
Bokingon (Tag.) Bukingan (Tag.)
Botbotones (Ilk.) Bulah (Bag.)
Botoncillo (Sp.) Butingan (S.L.Bis.)
Botones-botonesan (Tag.)

Habitat: In settled areas throughout the Philippines.

Parts utilized: Flowers.

Description:
* An erect, branched, pubescent annual, the branches more or less thickened and often purplish at the nodes.

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* Leaves: opposite, petioled, oblong acute or obtuse, 7 to 11 cm long.

* Flowers: numerous, densely crowded in globose heads, the heads are white, pink or purple, solitary, peduncled, 1.5 to 2 cm long in diameter, subtended by 2 bracts. Bracteoles 8 to 10 mm long, enclosing the flowers, lateral, keeled. Sepals, pubescent, 5, lanceolate, cleft at the tip, usually without staminodes. Ovary 1-celled, 1-ovuled; style short or long, stigmas 2.

* Fruits: utricles, compressed, indehiscent.

Propagation:Propagate by seeds or cuttings

Hervesting: Collect the head inflorescence during May to October, during the flowering season. and Sun-dry

Properties: Sweet tasting. Antitussive, antiasthmatic.

Medicinal uses:
Bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, whooping cough: Decoction of 9-15 g of dried material or 10 head inflorescence.
Sources:http://www.stuartxchange.org/Botoncillo.html

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

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